BELLINGHAM, Wash. – It is not exactly a “snowmagedon,” but Whatcom County is warning it has a shortage of snowplow drivers for the coming season.
The county says it has a serious shortage of employees who are licensed, qualified and experienced in driving snowplows.
It is a specialized field, with drivers needing a Commercial Driver’s License and a minimum number of training hours to operate on public roads.
The county would need 54 drivers to be properly staffed, but currently has just 40 in its ranks.
It blames the shortage on retiring workers, a booming construction industry that is also hungry for drivers, new licensing regulations and limits on licensing opportunities caused by the pandemic.
Residents should prepare for delayed or even reduced levels of response to adverse weather this winter.